Child abuse Quote by Andrea Dworkin
““Often, to keep the family together, the woman will accept repeated beatings and rapes, emotional battering and verbal degredation; she will be debased and ashamed but she will stick it out, or when she runs he will kill her. Ask the politicians who exude delight when they advocate for the so-called traditional family how many women are beaten and children raped when there is no man in the family. Zero is such a perfect and encouraging number, but who, among politicians in male-supremacist cultures, can count that high?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Critique of Traditional Family Ideology, 1991
The passage exposes how patriarchal norms force women to endure extreme abuse, while society ignores the violence that occurs without a male figure.
In simple terms: Patriarchal expectations cause hidden suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge oppressive family narratives.
Themes
gender
violence
family
politics
power
Mood
angry
determined
Type
political
advocacy
When to use this quote
- activism
- policy reform
- support services
- education programs
Key Concepts
Patriarchal critique
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What societal structures enable this abuse?
- How can we support survivors effectively?
A Different Perspective
May overlook individual agency and varied cultural contexts.
